Remove Chick-fil-a from the Atrium Food Court

Following in the footsteps of other higher education institutions across the US:

Recently, the president of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, reaffirmed the company's anti-gay marriage stance and their allocation of funds to support organizations countering the marriage equality movement.

North Carolina State University is an institution of higher education that embraces a diverse population of students and "promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world".

"Since my arrival at NC State University, I have expressed my desire to see this outstanding university soar to new heights. One way that we can begin doing this is through a collective effort to embrace diversity on our campus...We must create an atmosphere where individuals experience educational freedom and are comfortable learning and exploring. In order for this to be achieved, it is absolutely necessary for us at NC State to understand the importance of diversity and the role it plays in our lives".

Provost Warwick Ardin issued the following statement in response to the Anti-LGBT Graffiti incident October 17, 2011:

“Diversity and inclusion are core values of NC State, helping to weave the fabric of a campus community that includes more than 40,000 students, faculty and staff who come to NC State from all over North Carolina, the nation and the world. A diverse population enriches and enlivens the educational experience for students in pursuit of a college education and for whom NC State is the gateway to opportunity. Everyone should be free to pursue their education, attain their personal goals and do their jobs in a safe and welcoming environment”.

The NCSU Student Government adopted the Diversity Promotion Act in 2011 which states:

“That the North Carolina State University Student Government shares the opinion that each member of the Wolfpack Family and visitor on our campus is accepted for who they are and not discriminated upon by others for their race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability, creed or veteran status; and be it further, That the North Carolina State University Student Government wholly embraces diversity and the many positive educational, social and professional attributes it brings to the university”…

The NCSU Student Government also adopted the LGBT History Month Act in 2010 which states:

“That the North Carolina State University Student Senate and Student Government continue to recognize membership and awareness of the NC State GLBT Center staff and its membership as a vital importance to the growing diversity of NC State University and its surround community."

Chik-fil-A’s position could create a hostile environment for LGBTQ individuals and their allies. The company’s position on LGBTQ rights conflict with the Chancellor’s and Provost’s personal commitments to diversity at NCSU. In addition, the corporation’s views conflict with the student body’s position on diversity. Chik-fil-A’s presence on NCSU’s campus is offensive and discriminatory towards a portion of the student body, staff, and faculty. As an institution of higher education committed to diversity, it is the responsibility of the university to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors regardless of sexual orientation. Supporting a business on campus that blatantly disregards the rights and dignity of even a portion of our campus community is unacceptable.

There are many who shout that Chik-Fil-A does not discriminate towards anyone. People have said that the restaurant will sell their product to, or hire, anyone. This is not the point. There are those who state that Dan Cathy has the right to express himself and to religious freedom. This is not the point. The point is that the corporation allocates funding to anti-LGBTQ groups that work to demean the LGBTQ community. These organizations believe that the LGBTQ community does not deserve the same rights as other sectors of society. This is the discrimination of which I speak. As a result, this corporation is not fit to do business on our campus. Again, the actions of this corporation against LGBTQ community in our country conflicts with NCSU's commitment to diversity.

** NCSU officials issued the following statement in regards to this petition (According to NEWS 14 Carolina 7/31/2012):

"Chick-fil-A was initially selected to be an option on campus largely due to student interest and feedback. NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation."

We the undersigned call for the removal of Chick-fil-A from NCSU’s Atrium Food Court (attached to D. H. Hill Library). We must uphold our commitment to diversity and not permit discrimination, in the slightest, on our campus…especially from services provided to the campus community.